2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 safeties

The safety position has become a very important piece to all NFL teams.

In today’s NFL, teams need safeties who can cover top notch tight ends one-on-one. The best safeties seem to be teamed up with solid cornerbacks. A shut-down cornerback will make a safeties job much easier and give him a lot more freedom and roaming ability. Last season there were 20 safeties taken in the NFL draft, none in the first round, but four went in round two. Here is a look at the top safeties heading into the 2024-2025 season.

10- Malachi Moore- Alabama

Moore brings a ton of experience and the versatility and smarts to play multiple positions in the secondary. He can play both strong and free safety and he is strong in nickel-type zone coverage as well. He has strong eyes and locates the ball well, especially in the run game where he is physical in his run stopping skills. He lacks high end speed and can struggle against faster players with route running ability. 

9- Sammy Styles- Ohio State

At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Styles offers a rare-combination of athleticism and size. He has the capability to play both safety spots and also could be moved to linebacker one day with his frame and power. Styles is a strong tackler who has excellent downhill speed. The upside is unquestionable. He is still raw with his overall technique, especially his transition from back pedal to change of direction. He struggles at times in man-to-man but it is from the technical end, not the athleticism.

8- Keon Sabb- Alabama

Sabb is a transfer from Michigan, who helped the Wolverines win a National Championship last season in a reserve role. He is a physical tackler who does an excellent job of wrapping up ball carriers, especially in the open field. Sabb has good size and matches up well against both tight ends and wide receivers. He has only average speed when compared to other top prospects in this class. He needs to work on his pursuit angles and improve his zone coverage ability. Can be overaggressive at times.

7- Andrew Mukuba- Texas

Mukuba transferred from Clemson after three seasons and playing 30 games in the Tigers secondary. The new Longhorn has a ton of versatility and can line up anywhere in the secondary. He has excellent instincts and a high motor that never stops. He reads passes well and has a short burst that allows him to make big plays. He is only 6-foot and 185 pounds and is seen by some as a “tweener”, which could hurt his draft stock. Can have issues at times in the ground game and is not a reliable or physical tackler.

6- Aubrey Burks, West Virginia

Burks does a good job of reading the ball and breaking on it quickly, allowing him to be a playmaker in the secondary. He is very strong at zone coverage and is physical enough to battle through passes. Closing speed is strong, and his versatility in the back end will help an NFL team. At only 5-foot-11 he is a bit undersized for NFL standards. Struggles with man-to-man from time to time and can be overaggressive on pump fakes.

5- Rod Moore, Michigan

Moore has lots of experience in a great program. He has played in 37 games for Michigan, with 27 starts. He is a leader in the back end and calls out pre-snap reads and helps in making adjustments. Moore accelerates well and plays a hard physical downhill style. Can line up anywhere in the box, including matching up one-on-one with tight ends or he can pay deep. He has a strong work ethic and is loved by his teammates. On the downside, Moore can be overaggressive at times and he needs to do a better job of wrapping up runners, and quit trying to make the big hit.

4- Xavier Nwankpa, Iowa

Nwankpa has been one of the highest risers in this draft class. He has the perfect combination of size (6-foot-2) and athleticism. He has a strong football IQ and understands the routes and coverages at hand. Able to make plays all over the field and uses his speed to add range on the backend. Nwankpa is a durable and hard working safety who can be counted on to make plays. When chasing the ball he needs to improve his routes and needs to be better at shedding blockers. He needs to add some muscle and mass to his overall frame. 

3- Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Watts plays the position physically who is very strong at stopping the run. He had seven interceptions last season and has the ability to always be around the ball. His eyes and instincts help to put him in the best position to make plays. Was timed at a 4.49 in the 40, so he has the speed to match up against tight ends and receivers. His transition to offense has been amazing but he is still learning the position. Watts can sell out for big plays, and is susceptible to pump fakes and play actions. His upside at safety is immense.

2- Kevin Winston, Jr., Penn State

Winston is as reliable as they come in terms of tackling. He is exceptional in the open field and can track down and wrap up with the best of them. He has nice length at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds. He has an explosiveness that allows him to be active sideline-to-sideline and make plays. Winston has a very smooth backpedal and excels at changing direction. Has playmaking ability with his speed and instincts. Winston can get handsy at times and sometimes will take a penalty that was unnecessary. His aggressiveness can get him out of position on occasion.

1- Malachi Starks, Georgia

Starks is the complete package at safety, with elite playmaking ability. Starks is a strong run-stopper and has all the necessary tools to be a difference maker all over the field. His agility and change of direction gives him the ability to mirror fast, twitchy receivers. The only issue that Draft Nation sees with Starks is his size. He is 6-foot and 185 pounds and could be a player who could be injury prone at the next level. Starks should be the first safety off the board, a potential first round pick.